Episode 18

Aria couldn't quite believe that Aldo had already committed his script to memory, yet she didn't wish to micromanage him since the shoot was far off in the future.

At the moment, her priority was to locate the perfect fit for the lead female role.

"Surely there's a renowned actress who wants to join this project? Wouldn't that save us the hassle of casting?" Aldo queried, puzzled.

FGC, a major corporation, boasted numerous well-known actors and actresses, all of whom had extensive film and drama series credits under the FGC banner.

Thus, enlisting them for the latest project would greatly simplify matters compared to holding auditions filled with unseasoned amateurs who lacked any film experience.

"Unfortunately, not a soul is eager to partake in our latest venture as our team's reputation took a hit since the accident, so we have no choice but to scout for new talent," Aria remarked with a weary sigh.

Aldo nodded in understanding, recognizing that their team was struggling to bring this project to fruition with minimal support from other actors.

"Then let me help you in choosing the right person," Aldo offered, seating himself beside Aria.

Aria nodded in agreement, anticipating the next candidate's arrival.

For many, this was a golden opportunity to join FGC. The news Aria had shared about the upcoming auditions on social media triggered a frenzy of applicants.

They weren't about to miss out on a chance for success within a leading company like FGC.

In just a few hours, registrations for the casting exceeded 5000 applicants, thanks to the simplification of requirements by Aria.

Hoping to uncover a genius among the ordinary, Aria, a dignified producer, discovered after a week they'd unearthed nothing more than a clown.

Candidates were subjected to a battery of tests during the casting process, one of which was to perform an acting piece as specified in the registration brief.

The scene demanded the gamut of human emotions: joy, sorrow, rage, fear, depression, and more.

If participants could convincingly convey all this, they'd win the lead female role in the project titled 'A Night of Blossoming Love in France'.

But as hours passed, even Aldo grew tired of the lackluster performances that lacked natural flare.

Absent of any genuine emotion, their portrayals felt soulless and repulsive.

"You've failed as well," Aria declared, striking the candidate's name from her list.

As usual, the woman protested her rejection, but the matter ended with her being escorted out by security.

"They dream of joining FGC with such pitiful skills?"

Aria scorned the recent subpar participants and rose listlessly from her seat, "Today's auditions have ended, and as usual, we're left with nothing but mediocrity..."

"That's true..." Aldo concurred, eager to leave the tedium behind.

He couldn't imagine how Aria had coped with a week of this dreariness.

"W-wait, please let me try just once!"

A girl's voice echoed from the entrance, causing Aria and Aldo to exchange puzzled glances, as the auditions had concluded.

"Hello!! Is anyone there?! Sorry I'm late; I was caught in a jam, so please let me audition just for today, please..."

Her pleas fell not on receptive ears but on the security's scolding.

"Hey! Don't you know the auditions are over for today?! Come back tomorrow!"

"No, I can't come back tomorrow; all my funds went into the bus fare here!"

"Stubborn fool!"

Their squabble seemed inevitable, prompting a light head shake from Aria and Aldo.

"What should we do?"

"Well, it couldn't hurt to see one more performance."

With Aria's approval, Aldo quickly instructed security to permit the last-minute arrival.

The doors opened to admit an attractive woman – no, more fittingly a girl because of her youth, likely comparable to Myra in age but, with beauty to match.

Golden brown hair reminiscent of the twilight sky and bright green eyes graced her face. Alongside stunning looks, her physique was ideally suited for a young woman her age.

"Thank you for the chance, sir, madam, this means everything to me," the girl expressed to Aldo and Aria as they sat before her.

"So, miss...Katharine?" Aria's gaze flit across the names on her white paper until she located what she assumed was the girl's name.

"That is my name," the girl confirmed.

"Then please, Miss Katharine, show us what you can do."

"Right!"

Katharine clenched her fists, closing her eyes in serious focus.

Her once ragged breath, a product of her late entrance panic, steadied as her gaze, now transformed, opened.

Aldo was momentarily taken aback, for the girl before him, from his practiced actor's perspective, seemed utterly transformed by her flawless portrayal.

Katharine launched into her monologue as the brief had detailed, displaying impressive range—from rage to sorrow—with natural articulation and facial expressions.

Every emotion felt as though she embodied multiple personalities, so natural was her performance.

"Thank you for your time," Katharine reverted to her real self post-acting, nerves settling in as she faced the still-silent Aria and Aldo, fearing failure.

With downcast eyes and a heavy heart, she turned to depart.

However, before she could, Aria and Aldo rose, breaking into enthusiastic applause.

"Eh? What's this?" Katharine was baffled.

"Your skill is exceptional, to the point of leaving us spellbound. Truly beyond expectation!" Aldo exclaimed.

"With that, our lead female role is decided. Welcome to FGC, Miss Katharine," Aria added.

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